Program urges girls to study science

She is already on her way. At home, she cares for a hamster, a lizard, two bunnies, two chickens, a dog, two cats and four frogs.

"That's what she loves," her mother, Barri Zahnd, said. "Anything I can do to help her follow her dreams."

On Nov. 17, Lucy explored her career options with other girls ages 9 to 12 at a STEM, or science, technology, engineering and math, program at the Jacaranda Library in Venice.

The library partnered with the American Association of University Women to present "Girls, Gadgetry and Galvanized Genius."

The room was divided into the four STEM categories. Each group was assigned four projects that corresponded to one of the fields.

"We are losing girls in these areas of college degrees, so we are trying to introduce them at an earlier age," AAUW member Denise DeLong said. "We want them to know that anything is possible."

A fun project at the science table included pairing up and looking under a magnifying glass to view and identify insects. Using tweezers, groups sorted the insects and counted the different types of species.

At the engineering table, children also worked in pairs to complete a Lego project. They were challenged to use their skills and creativity to build an air-powered car with a set number of Lego pieces.

With a mission of "advancing equity for women and girls through advocacy, education, philanthropy and research," Shirley Reid, president of the Venice branch of AAUW, told the girls about the importance of preparing themselves for their future careers.

"You do have choices," she said. "You are our future and our future is bright."

DeLong added, "There just might be some future Nobel Laureates. I'd love to see that."

Religious school students sort food at All Faiths

Sixty children and parents from Temple Emanu-El Religious School celebrated the Thanksgiving spirit as they spent an afternoon sorting food at All Faiths Food Bank on Nov. 18.

The visit marked the second time the school organized a Thanksgiving season community service trip to the food bank. Temple Emanu-El and All Faiths Food Bank leaders want to make it an annual event.

Participating students ranged in age from 5 to 13.

"It was important for me to come today because there are a lot of hungry people out there, and it feels good to help them out," seventh-grader Max Kunkel said in a prepared statement.

Classmate Seth Morton concurred.

"I feel like I'm doing a good thing. Every single item we sort helps," he said. "It all counts."

All Faiths Food Bank Director of Development Aundria Castleberry and Director of Volunteers Fran Talley provided a tour of the facility for the students and their families. They made a brief stop inside the deep freezer, which is kept at 10 degrees below zero.

Participants noted the stacks of frozen turkeys, 8,000 of which will be distributed by the food bank to needy families this holiday season.

Religious school parent Uzi Baram brought son Jacob, 10, and daughter Miriam, 8. He said his family's goal is for the children to appreciate the food they have and also realize they need to help others who are not as fortunate.

"It's great that Temple Emanu-El gives us the opportunity to help at All Faiths Food Bank," he Baram said.

Following the announcement that Temple Emanu-El Religious School volunteers had sorted 4,000 pounds of food and unloaded and organized an additional 5,000 pounds, parent Steven Leavitt expressed amazement.

"It really gives a sense of the magnitude of the need," he said. "And makes all of us, including our children, reflect on our good fortune."

For more information about community service projects at Temple Emanu-El, call 379-1997. For more information about All Faiths Food Bank, call 379-6333.

Columbia dean to address alumni

The Columbia University Club of Sarasota will host new Columbia Engineering Dean Donald Goldfarb as a guest speaker.

The meeting will be Dec. 5 at the Longboat Key Club & Resort, Islandside, 220 Sands Point Road, Longboat Key.

Goldfarb, a professor of industrial engineering and operations research, has developed an algorithm to optimize MRI and CT scan images so patients are subject to only one-fifth the previous radiation levels to produce an appropriate image.

He will talk to local alumni about the launching of the Institute for Data Sciences and Engineering, a team project between Columbia University and New York City.

Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg announced July 30 that the Columbia partnership, the latest step in the Applied Sciences NYC Initiative, is expected to generate nearly $4 billion in overall economic impact and create more than 4,500 jobs over the next three decades.

Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door; registration is at 11:30 a.m. and the luncheon is planned for noon to 1:30 p.m.

Interested attendees may R.S.V.P. to local Columbia Alumni club President Lee-En Chung, who is a Columbia Engineering alumna, at ladychung@yahoo.com or 320-1151.

Sarasota County Sheriff Tom Knight addressed the club at its Nov. 6 meeting.